Lights. Camera. Action! The Gloucester County Republican Organization is calling on the county to begin videotaping the freeholder meetings and broadcasting them on local television stations. GOP leaders have been showing up lately to freeholder meetings with cameras. At first they were questioned about it, but have since been told that they can tape the meetings – provided an... Full story »

The check might not be in the mail for long in New Jersey. Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli and others is under review to convert “cumbersome and expensive” property tax rebate checks into a direct property tax credit. The measure, which cleared a committee last week, would mitigate privacy concerns that have slowed efforts to provide property tax... Full story »

In this new era of providing instant information via the Internet, Gov. Chris Christie has hired someone to handle his “new media.” Assemblyman Paul Moriarty questions the move, claiming the governor is spending $60,000 a year to have somebody handle his “tweets” on Twitter. “Hard-working New Jerseyans struggle daily to make ends meet,” said Moriarty, D-4, of Washington Township. “It... Full story »

Elections are always said to be about money. The candidates with the most money usually have the better chance of winning. Despite the nation’s economic crisis, candidates in New Jersey did not have trouble raising a lot of money for their campaigns, an analysis by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission found. For example, fundraising efforts by candidates for... Full story »

It’s Super Bowl weekend and most people are getting ready for the big game by digging out of the snow and making some wings. One New Jersey legislator is more concerned about the game a few years from now. Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean introduced a resolution last week urging the NFL to select New Jersey as its location... Full story »

Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco isn’t wasting any time. Just weeks into his first term serving the 4th District, the Republican from Franklin Township has already dropped two pieces of legislation. One would require towns that are audited to fix any problems found or risk losing aid from the state. The other is designed to better inform taxpayers about how they... Full story »

I wouldn’t exactly call it an extreme makeover, but newly elected Senate President Stephen Sweeney certainly looks different. The top Democrat serving in Trenton decided after 32 years to shave off his trademark moustache. It was not really by choice for Sweeney, who hails from West Deptford and serves the 3rd Legislative District. “I had a bet with a... Full story »

When Stephen Sweeney was sworn in as New Jersey’s next Senate president, it was in front of a packed house. Full story »

Just call him Gov. Stephen Sweeney. When Sweeney gets sworn in as Senate president this week, that will not be the end of his rise to power. At least not temporarily. Sweeney, D-3, of West Deptford, confirmed that outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine will be out of state for a couple of days following Tuesday’s State of the State address... Full story »

The lighter side of politics typically comes out during the Gloucester County freeholder board’s year-end meeting. The last-minute business gets done during these short meetings – the one this week lasted some 15 minutes. But the freeholders all take time to joke with each other. It seems that around the holidays, Freeholder Warren Wallace enjoys inviting everyone out to... Full story »

Now that the holidays are wrapping up, it marks the time of year when people celebrate the new year with a resolution. It might be to lose weight or spend more time with family, but New Year’s resolutions are some of the hardest promises to keep. As we do most years, we’ve asked a handful of public officials to... Full story »

When Gov. Jon Corzine was in Camden this week, it marked what could be his last visit to South Jersey as the state’s leader. In January, Corzine will end his term as governor. The governor was in town to watch the beginning of the demolition of River Front State Prison, which was shuttered to make way for development. We... Full story »

So much for having a lame, lame-duck session in New Jersey’s Legislature. A plethora of bills have been up for debate in the weeks since the election. Perhaps none getting more attention than the state’s gay marriage bill. After barely squeaking through the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill was scheduled for a full vote. That is now on hold... Full story »

The Democrats in Gloucester County spent $19,696.29 on food for Election Day and a senior citizen breakfast the prior weekend. They spent another $5,875 to reimburse those who helped with get-out-the-vote efforts. Each “volunteer” received $50 or $75 for their efforts. To put that in perspective, the Republican freeholder candidates collected $21,911.87 – mostly from the family of one... Full story »

As everyone recovers from too much turkey and stuffing, here are comments from elected officials around Gloucester County and the state who are thankful. Washington Township Councilman Al Frattali said he’s thankful for his health and his family. And he’s got good reason. Frattali was diagnosed in 2006 with prostate cancer. He gets blood tests now every six months,... Full story »